LYNN – Coming off two straight losses against top programs in the state, St. Mary’s of Lynn had something to prove against another top program in Burke.

The Spartans did that and then some as they used a strong second half to take down the Bulldogs for the second time this season. On Thursday it a 61-50 victory in a nonleague matchup at home.

“We were ready for what (Burke) does,” said Spartans coach David Brown. “They did the same thing the first time with their funky zone.”

The loss snapped a six-game win streak for the Bulldogs after their loss came against the hands of St. Mary’s on Jan. 18.

With a lead cut down to one early in the third quarter, St. Mary’s (11-5) took advantage of the weak side of the Burke (13-3) zone with great finds for wide-open layups on several occasions. The lead was out to 42-36 at the end of three as David Brown (six points) hit a three late in the quarter.

“That was key,” said coach Brown about attacking the weak side of the zone. “Moving the ball and ducking the ball down to (Nick) Sacco and he made the layups.”

In the fourth, several players got in on the scoring for the Spartans, none bigger than a triple for senior Omri Merryman to make it a 55-46 contest. Senior Nick Sacco added a couple buckets in the final frame, but netted 10 of his game-high 24 points in the crucial third quarter.

“(Sacco) is a bundle of joy,” coach Brown said. “He’s the hardest worker on the team. He makes layups and doesn’t look to shoot threes. He’s a gritty guy.”

Sacco also grabbed 12 rebounds. Freshman Javihan Martinez chipped in nine points, with seven of those coming in the second quarter.

Burke kept it close in the first half as well as the third thanks to 15 of 23 for sophomore Jaeden Roberts in the first half. The teams tied four times with eight lead changes over the first 24 minutes. Sophomore Jasaad Fenton added 12 points, six assists and five boards for Burke.